The United States Patent and Trademark Office today published a patent filed by Apple last August, which detailed an Apple Watch band accessory that could double as a "protective cover" for the device itself when not on a user's wrist (via AppleInsider). Referred to as the "Magnetic wristband," the accessory would be similar in function to the Leather and Milanese Loop bands sold today but include multiple "configurations" to introduce more utility to users.
The first configuration would essentially turn the band into the Apple Watch's own protective casing, coiling around the device and linking together magnetically the same way it would when placed on a wrist. The patent iterates on the fact that when removed, the Apple Watch "can be subjected to even greater forces and damage than when worn by the user," and as such, a way to protect the wearable device without any outside, third-party equipment could be greatly beneficial to each wearer.
Another configuration of the proposed band includes multiple ways to display the watch when it's not in use on a wrist. Using the band's magnetic technology, Apple's patent proposes simple solutions of being able to attach the entire product onto surfaces like a refrigerator or computer's bezel to keep it in sight. Another idea suggests the magnetic wristband could be rolled up into itself to create a sort of on-the-fly stand for the Apple Watch.
As with any patent story, the magnetic wristband is far from a confirmed lock for the upcoming "Apple Watch 2," but since it's long been rumored the company will most likely introduce new bands for the second generation device, it is an interesting possibility of where Apple could go with the wearable this year. With news surrounding the possible start of a trial production run on the next Apple Watch as early as this month, it's not too long that users should have to wait for the official announcement of the device. Current estimates place the reveal in March with a launch in April.
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014.
This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
I was with you guys on this notion up until yesterday, I usually get a bit over two days use of my watch between charges and yesterday I found myself with no juice so I went to toss it into my bag and had to do a bit of rearranging to make sure my watch didn't get scratched up on my commute home. Would have been cool to wrap the band around and snap into place and I wouldn't have given it a second thought. It's an interesting feature but, not a selling point exactly.
A lot of these types of patents have to do with stopping other companies from using that idea.
I guess my move in that case would have been to leave it on my wrist and wear it home.
I might be in the minority, but if my watch is off its on its charger and doesn't need a protective strap case
I don't think you're in the minority, plus I find these pretty durable anyway, I only have the sport model and I bash it on lots of things and not a single mark on it (And I wouldn't expect any different!)
My sport isn't pristine, as I have some knicks and scratches on it (I'm hard on watches). But I will say that it gets a lot more abuse on my wrist than it does when I'm not wearing it. I take it off and put it on my Incipio nightstand charger. No trauma or drama. :)
I was with you guys on this notion up until yesterday, I usually get a bit over two days use of my watch between charges and yesterday I found myself with no juice so I went to toss it into my bag and had to do a bit of rearranging to make sure my watch didn't get scratched up on my commute home. Would have been cool to wrap the band around and snap into place and I wouldn't have given it a second thought. It's an interesting feature but, not a selling point exactly.
A lot of these types of patents have to do with stopping other companies from using that idea.
